Summary
—Perioperative lung protective ventilation during general anesthesia can reduce the incidence of postoperative pulmonary complications (PPC). PPC are common complications after general anaesthesia.
Why is low-flow anaesthesia better for pulmonary function than the high-flow technique?
—The upper respiratory tract plays an important role in acclimatizing the inhaled gas as the respiratory epithelium of the lower respiratory tract changes towards the terminal bronchioles, successively decreasing the capability to humidify and warm the inspired gas. During anaesthesia, however, the upper respiratory tract is bypassed by endotracheal intubation or a laryngeal mask, leaving the lower respiratory tract potentially overcharged with the task of adequately acclimatizing the cold and dry gas applied during high flow anaesthesia. Mechanical ventilation with cold and dry gas can thus lead to damage of the lung parenchyma.
Cold and dry respiratory gases reduce ciliary activity in the respiratory epithelium. The reduction of mucociliary clearance can lead to atelectasis and infections, conditions referred to as postoperative pulmonary complications. Warming and humidifying the respiratory gases using low-flow anaesthesia can reduce these negative effects on the respiratory epithelium.
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Whitepaper: Benefits of low-flow anesthesia
How can your patients benefit from a technique that potentially minimizes the risk for postoperative pulmonary complication? Learn more about the advantages of low-flow anaesthesia in our whitepaper!
Technology Insights: Low-flow anaesthesia
This paper will provide you with insights into the technical prerequisites for the operation of low-flow anaesthesia and supporting Dräger technology.
Infographic: Low-flow anaesthesia – An effective solution for a common problem
Postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs) are common and have a profound negative impact on outcomes. PPCs are associated with a 30-day mortality of 18 % compared with 2.5 % for those without PPCs (Khuri et al. 2005). Low-flow anaesthesia can reduce the risk for PPCs.
Low-flow Anaesthesia Methods and Cost Reduction
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Clinical techniques for use with rebreathing systems
Wide-ranging clinical experience shows that low-flow anaesthesia is a simple-to-perform technique and can be easily used in daily clinical routine. ”The safety and technical capability of today’s anaesthesia machines make low-flow, minimal-flow and metabolic-flow anesthesia the procedures of choice., concludes Bert Mierke (MD/PhD) and Christian Hoenemann (MD/PhD), passionate low-flow advocates and authors of the booklet on low-, minimal- and metabolic flow anaesthesia.
How can you help reduce costs in the OR?
The use of low-flow anaesthesia reduces consumption of volatile anesthetic agents as well as nitrous oxide and oxygen. Apart from potentially significant cost savings, the negative ecological effects of volatile anaesthetic agents can be reduced. The use of a low fresh gas flow rate maximizes rebreathing of exhaled anesthetic gas and is less costly than a high flow rate. Data from various studies confirm a cost reduction of between 55 and 75% if the fresh gas flow is reduced from 4 to 1 L/min. Learn how hospitals reduced their agent consumption by using low-flow anaesthesia in this reference case.
Related topics
Preventing Medical Errors in Anaesthesia
Lung protection during bariatric surgery
Lung protective ventilation for paediatric anaesthesia
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